Adjustable combination awning and shutter



Apri 25, 1933. s. F. SHEPARD ADJUSTABLE COMBINATION AWNING AND SHUTTER Filed July 10, 1931 Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. SHEPARD, OF BETHEL, CONNECTICUT ADJUSTABLE COMBINATION AWNING .AND SHUTTER Application filed July 10, 1931. Serial No. 549,873.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in adjustable combinatlon shutter and awning such as are used in hot climates and which are adjustable from a position immediately in front of and closing a window opening to an inclined position relative to the window opening, in which latter position theyare adapted to keep out the sun but yet permit the entrance of light and air.

An object of the invention is to provide a combination shutter and awning whereby more light and a better circulation of air is obtainable and whereby a better view may r be had from a window opening than has been possible with the devices heretofore in use.

Another object is to provide a combined shutter and awning device including an improved mountingK whereby the device may be readily and quic ly shifted between its window closing position where it performs as a shutter and its inclined position where it and partly in section showing a portion of a window frame and portions of a building surrounding the same and showing in ful lines the improved combination shutter and awnings when in inclined or open position Fig. 3 is a front view of the device in win-- dow closing position and on the scale used in Fig. 1;

ticular type or kind of window frame and h as an awning.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the improved device when in inclined position and shpiwing the slats as being inclined slightly; an

Fig. 5 is an elevational view somewhat en larged and showing portions of the window frame and the combination shutter and awning and the means for anchoring one end of an arm or hinge member which secures the combination shutter and awning to the window frame. V

Referring in detail to the drawing, at 6 is shown a portion of a wall of a building structure and in this wall there is mounted a window frame 7 of any suitable construction. Upper and lower window sashes 8 and 9 are shown as slidably mounted in the frame 7 although it will be understood that the parwindow sash is immaterial to the present invention.

The improved combination shutter and awning-of the present invention includes a frame 10 shown as substantially rectangular and including side members 11, an upper member 12 and a lower member 13. Extending horizontally and arranged between and supported by the side members 11 of the frame 10 are a plurality of slats 14. These slats may be rigid with the side members 11 as shown or they may be pivotally mounted .and when rigid as shown are disposed at an angle to the side members. The angle is, preferably such that when the device is in r window closing position the lower edge of one slat is substantially even with or only slightly overlaps the upper edge of the next lower slat so as to prevent the entrance of the sun and of rain.

In Figs. 2 and 3 the combination shutter and awning is shown. in window closing position and in those figures it will be noted that the device entirely covers the window opening and is so arranged that the members r forn'iing its frame abut against the window frame or sidewall of the building. In Fig.

1 it will be noted that the device is disposed upwardly with respect to its position in Figs. 2 and 3 and that the device is inclined to act Means are provided for 5 cal portions of the window frame or building 7, one at each side of the window opening, are brackets each comprising a base through which fastening screws or other means 16 are passed to secure the bracket to the frame or building. Each bracket includes a pair of upstanding cars 17 and extending between these ears and pivoted to the brackets as by bolts 18, are hinge or arm members 19. At their outer ends the arms 19 are pivotally connected with the outer sides of the side members 11 of the frame 10 as by pins 20. It will be noted that these pins are preferably arranged in slots in the outer end portions of the arms 19 although the connection need not necessarily be through a slot, and that the pins are arranged intermediate the upper and lower ends of 1 the side members 11.

Secured directly to the wall 6, or to a board or plank 21 on the wall and above the frame 7 are hook-like members 22 adapted to have eyes 23, on the upper bar 12 of the frame 10 passed over them. The location of the books 22 is such with relation to the length of the arms 19 that the frame 10 may be swung from the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. '1 to that shown in full lines in said figure, with the eyes 23 over the hooks 22. When the frame is in this position it is secured in place and against rattle by means of relatively long hooks 24 pivotally secured to the windowv frame 7 at each side thereof as by pivots 25 and adapted to have their free and hooked ends positioned in eyes 26 on the side members 11. The length of the hooks 24 is such that the lower end of the frame 10 must be pressed outwardly to slightly spring the frame before the ends of the hooks may be passed into the eyes 26. Therefore, the hooks hold the frame against rattle.

When it is desired to move the combina tion shutter and awning to window closing position the hooks 24 are released and per mitted to drop to the position within the window frame 7 as shown in Fig. 2. Next, the frame 10 is swung upwardly to release the eyes 23 from the hooks 22 and thereafter the frame may be lowered to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3. The length of the arms 19 is such that the arms are vertical or substantially vertical when the device is in window closing position and it will therefore be understood that when the device is lowered from the full line position of Fig. 1 the arms 19 limit the moving of the device to the dotted line position of that figure, that is window closing position.

At their inner sides adjacent their upper frame 10 carry eyes 27 adapted to be eneyes 27 cooperate, of course, to secure the combination shutter and awning device in window closing position. The device may be moved to such position either when a house is left for a season or during stormy weather when it is necessary to keep out the rain but yet desirable to admit some air. It will be understood that the improved device may be secured in window closing position in place of the not uncommonpractice of boarding up the window during a prolonged absence of inhabitants. It is more easily and quickly placed in and removed from the closed position than the boarding, is much more sightly and less damaging to the house, and by permitting entrance of some light and a free circulation of air, there is less danger of the contents of the house becoming damaged by dampness It will be particularly clear from Fig. 1 that owing to the fact that the upper end of the device is secured to hooks which are arranged above the window frame the lower end of the device will be considerably elevated above the lower end of the window opening during the use of the device as an awning. Therefore, plenty of light and air will be admitted through the window opening and in addition the window is not block ed and a good View of the street or side walk may be had.

The combination shutter and awning as described may be constructed of wood or metal or of wood and metal but is preferably constructed of relatively heavy material whereby unlike canvas awning it is not likely to be blown away. Also, this device will keep out the weather and it will now be clear that it may be placed in a position over a window to shut out the sunlight and rain but to allow circulation of air. Further, when the house is closed, as for the summer, the device will take the place of boarding up the windows. Also, when the device is in use as an awning it will effectively exclude the sunlight or its direct rays but will permit of the circulation of air and will also permit a good view of the adjacent street or sidewalk.

From Fig. 4 it will be noted that the slats 14 are inclined slightly from the horizontal unobstructed view and ventilation is not impaired. Therefore, it will be possible to see through between the slats while the slats at the same time will prevent the entrance of any but horizontal sun rays, so that plenty of light is available in the house. When the device is in window closing position the slats 6.5 and lower ends the side-members 11 of the are inclined as shown in Fig. 2 whereby to prevent the entrance of direct sun rays or rain or the like.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination with a window frame, a combined shutter and awning device comprising a rigid frame having slats extending between the side members thereof, said device of a size to cover the window opening with which it is associated, means for mounting the device on the window frame or house for movement from a position immediately in front of and covering the window opening to a position where the upper end of the device is above the window frame and the device inclines outwardly from the window opening, means above the window frame, means on said device for detachably engaging said means above the window frame to secure the device in inclined position, and independent means to secure the device in window closing position.

2. The combination with a window frame, a combined shutter and awning device comprising a frame having slats extending between the side members thereof, means mounting the device on the window frame for movement from a position immediately in front of and covering the window opening to a position where the upper end of the device is -above the window frame and the device inclines outwardly from the window opening, means including complemental hook and eye means on the upper end. of the device and above the window frame for-securing the device in its upper position, and other means for securing the device in its window closing position.

3. The combination with a window frame in a house, a combined shutter and awning device comprising a rigid frame of a size to cover the window opening, said frame having slats extending between the side members thereof, an arm pivotally mounted at one end on the window frame and at its other end on a side member of the frame of the device intermediate the ends of said side member whereby the device may be swung from a window closing position immediately in front of the window opening to an inclined position with its upper end above the window opening and its lower end outwardly of and above the lower. end of the window opening, co-operating means on the house and frame to secure the frame in the upper position, and other co-operating means on the window and frame to secure the frame in window closing position.

4. The combination with a window frame, a combined shutter and awning device comprising a frame having slats extending between the side members thereof, an arm pivotally mounted at one end on the window frame and at its other end on a side member .of the frame of the device whereby the device may be swung froina window closing position immediately in front of the win- .dow opening to an inclined position with its upper end above the window opening and its lower end outwardly of and above the lower end of the window opening, means including complemental hook and eye means on the upper end of the device and above the window frame for securing the device in its inclined may be swung from a window closing position immediately in front of the Window opening to an inclined position with its upper end above the Window opening and its lower end outwardly of and above the lower end of the window opening, complemental means mounted on the house and the upper end of the device to anchor the upper end of the device above the window opening when the device is in inclined position, securing means to engage the device below the point of pivotal connection between the device and the arm to slightly spring the device and thereby prevent rattle when the device is in inclined position, and other means to secure the device in-window closing position.

6. The combination with a window frame, a combined shutter and awning device comprising a frame having slats extending between the side members thereof, an arm pivotally mounted atone end on the window frame and at its other end on a; side member of the frame of the device whereby the device may be swung from a window closing position immediately in front of the window opening. to an inclined position with its-upper end above the window opening and its lower end outwardly of and above the lower end of the window opening, means to anchor the upper end of the device above the window opening when the device is in inclined position, s'ecuring means to engage the device below the point of pivotal connection be tween the device and the arm when the de-' vice is in inclined position, said securing means being so proportioned relative to said arm that when the securing means is in securing position the frame of the device is slightly sprung and held against rattle, and

other means to secure the device in window 

